Punch (play)

Jacob Dunne punches a man with fatal consequences. == Background ==

The play is based on Jacob Dunne's memoir, Right From Wrong. Dunne was jailed for the manslaughter of trainee paramedic James Hodgkinson in 2011. Hodgkinson had been visiting Nottingham to attend a test match, His previous work includes Best of Enemies, Dear England, This House, and Sherwood. The original productions featured design by Anna Fleischle, The play was published by Methuen Drama in March 2025. Jacob Dunne and James Graham appeared as guests on the Rest is Politics: Leading podcast to discuss the play and its significance. == Production history ==

Nottingham (2024) The world premiere of Punch opened on 4 May 2024, at the Nottingham Playhouse for a limited run and closed on 25 May 2024. The cast included Julie Hesmondhalgh, Tony Hirst, David Shields, Alec Boaden, Shalisha James-Davis, and Emma Pallant. and was nominated for two WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Play. The original cast returned, where it ran concurrently with the Broadway production. Broadway (2025) Punch premiered on Broadway on 10 September 2025 as part of the Manhattan Theatre Club's 2025-2026 season at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Initial casting was announced in June 2025, with Will Harrison playing Jacob. Tour (2026) Following the West End run the play is scheduled to return to Nottingham Playhouse in March 2026, before a short tour at Leeds Playhouse from 7 to 11 April and Theatre Royal, Plymouth from 14 to 18 April 2026. == Cast and characters ==

2026 West End production 2026 Broadway production == References ==